Binocular glasses with an integral printer device

ABSTRACT

A portable imaging system for viewing distant objects is disclosed comprising an optical lensing system for magnifying a viewed distant object; a sensing system for simultaneously sensing said viewed distant object; a processor means interconnected to said sensing system for processing said sensed image and forwarding it to a printer mechanism; and a printer mechanism connected to said processor means for printing out on print media said sensed image on demand by said portable imaging system. Preferably the system further comprises a detachable print media supply means provided in a detachable module for interconnection with said printer mechanism for the supply of a roll of print media and ink to said printer mechanism. The printer mechanism can comprise an ink jet printing mechanism providing a full color printer for the output of sensed images. The preferred embodiment is implemented as a system of binoculars with a beam splitting device which projects said distant object onto said sensing system.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The following co-pending U.S. patent applications, identified by theirU.S. patent aplication (USSN) Ser. Nos., were filed simultaneously tothe present application on Jul. 10, 1998, and are hereby incorporated bycross-reference:

09/113,060 09/113,070 09/113,073 09/112,748 09/112,747 09/112,77609/112,750 09/112,746 09/112,743 09/112,742 09/112,741 09/112,74009/112,739 09/113,053 09/112,738 09/113,067 09/113,063 09/113,06909/112,744 09/113,058 09/112,777 09/113,224 09/112,804 09/112,80509/113,072 09/112,785 09/112,797 09/112,796 09/113,071 09/112,82409/113,090 09/112,823 09/113,222 09/112,786 09/113,051 09/112,78209/113,056 09/113,059 09/113,091 09/112,753 09/113,055 09/113,05709/113,054 09/112,752 09/112,759 09/112,757 09/112,758 09/113,10709/112,829 09/112,792 09/112,791 09/112,790 09/112,789 09/112,78809/112,795 09/112,749 09/112,784 09/112,783 09/112,781 09/113,05209/112,834 09/113,103 09/113,101 09/112,751 09/112,787 09/112,80209/112,803 09/113,097 09/113,099 09/113,084 09/113,066 09/112,77809/112,779 09/113,077 09/113,061 09/112,818 09/112,816 09/112,77209/112,819 09/112,815 09/113,096 09/113,068 09/113,095 09/112,80809/112,809 09/112,780 09/113,083 09/113,121 09/113,122 09/112,79309/112,794 09/113,128 09/113,127 09/112,756 09/112,755 09/112,75409/112,811 09/112,812 09/112,813 09/112,814 09/112,764 09/112,76509/112,767 09/112,768 09/112,807 09/112,806 09/112,820 09/112,82109/112,822 09/112,825 09/112,826 09/112,827 09/112,828 09/113,11109/113,108 09/113,109 09/113,123 09/113,114 09/113,115 09/113,12909/113,124 09/113,125 09/113,126 09/113,119 09/113,120 09/113,22109/113,116 09/113,118 09/113,117 09/113,113 09/113,130 09/113,11009/113,112 09/113,087 09/113,074 09/113,089 09/113,088 09/112,77109/112,769 09/112,770 09/112,817 09/113,076 09/112,798 09/112,80109/112,800 09/112,799 09/113,098 09/112,833 09/112,832 09/112,83109/112,830 09/112,836 09/112,835 09/113,102 09/113,106 09/113,10509/113,104 09/112,810 09/112,766 09/113,085 09/113,086 09/113,09409/112,760 09/112,773 09/112,774 09/112,775 09/112,745 09/113,09209/113,100 09/113,093 09/113,062 09/113,064 09/113,082 09/113,08109/113,080 09/113,079 09/113,065 09/113,078 09/113,075

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses binocular glasses with an integralprinter device the present invention relates to the utilization ofbinoculars or telescope devices wherein the device includes an integralprinter which is able to print images on demand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Binocular and telescope devices are well known. In particular, takingthe example of a binocular device, the device provides for telescopicmagnification of a scene so as to enhance the user's visualcapabilities. Further, devices such as night glasses etc. also operateto enhance the user's visual system.

Unfortunately, these systems tend to rely upon real time analog opticalcomponents and a permanent record of the viewed scene is difficult toachieve. One methodology perhaps suitable for recording a permanent copyof a scene is to attach a sensor device such as a CCD or the like so asto catch the scene and store it on a storage device for later printingout. Unfortunately, such an arrangement can be unduly cumbersomeespecially where it is desired to utilize the binocular system in thefield in a highly portable manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide for an opticalsystem having an integral printer for the capturing and printing out ofviewed images on demand.

In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there isprovided a portable imaging system for viewing distant objectscomprising an optical lensing system for magnifying a viewed distantobject; a sensing system for simultaneously sensing said viewed distantobject; a processor means interconnected to said sensing system forprocessing said sensed image and forwarding it to a printer mechanism;and a printer mechanism connected to said processor means for printingout on print media said sensed image on demand by said portable imagingsystem.

Preferably the system further comprises a detachable print media supplymeans provided in a detachable module for interconnection with saidprinter mechanism for the supply of a roll of print media and ink tosaid printer mechanism.

The printer mechanism can comprise an ink jet printing mechanismproviding a full color printer for the output of sensed images.

Further, the preferred embodiment is implemented as a system ofbinoculars with a beam splitting device which projects said distantobject onto said sensing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of thepresent invention, preferred forms of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view, partly in section of thepreferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment is preferable implemented through suitableprogramming of a hand held camera device such as that described inAustralian Provisional Patent Application No. P07991 entitled “ImageProcessing Method and Apparatus (Art 01)” filed Jul. 15, 1997 with alarge number of associated applications in addition to AustralianProvisional patent Application No. PO 8505 entitled “Image ProcessingMethod and Apparatus (Art 01a)” filed Aug. 11th 1997, again with anumber of associated applications.

The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system,hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images canbe directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, theaforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performingvarious manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing deviceleading to the production of various effects in any output image. Themanipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can beimplemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards havingencoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, thecards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further hassignificant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit(ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage ofimportant data and images.

In the preferred embodiment, the technologies as disclosed in the aforementioned patent specifications are adapted to be incorporated into aset of binocular glasses such that images can be printed out on demandby a user of the binocular glasses.

Turning initially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an example of thebinocular glasses system. The glasses 1 can be of a known type havingbeen modified in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention. The glasses can include the usual optical lensing systemshaving lensing inputs 2, 3. The two lensing systems being mounted to aconnector plate 6 via hinging systems 4, 5. The arrangement beingsubstantially conventional.

The first optical system 2 includes a beam splitter device 8 whichsplits the optical path 9 of light entering the optical system 2 intotwo paths 10, 11. A first path 10 is projected onto a side mounted CCDsystem 14. The second optical path 11 continues out to the eye piece 15.The beam splitter 8 results in an attenuation of the output intensity ofray 11. Therefore, a corresponding attenuation filter 18 can be alsoprovided so as to match the attenuation of the beam splitter 8 withinthe optical system 3.

The CCD imaging device 14 therefore images the same scene which isviewed by the optical system 2. The CCD device 14 is interconnected to aprocessing system mounted on printed circuit board 20 which can containan Artcam central processor and memory devices as outlined in Australianprovisional patent specification PO8505 entitled “Image ProcessingMethod and Apparatus (Art 01a)” , filed by the present applicant on Aug.11, 1997, the contents of which are specifically incorporated herewith.The Artcam central processor device includes significant imageprocessing capabilities and operates to control the CCD device so as tocapture an image and print out the image utilizing a printhead mechanism23, the printer utilizing an ink jet printing device so as to eject inkon to print media which can comprise a “paper” film (really a suitablepolymer) which is supplied from a detachable disposable print roll 25which includes printing media and printing inks. The print roll 25 isencased within housing 26 which also includes a detachable battery 27located within a suitable housing.

Upon a user depressing a button 19, the Artcam central processing deviceactivates the CCD 14 to capture the imaged scene. The image captured bythe CCD device 14 is processed by the ACP processor and forwarded toprint head 23 for immediate printing out so as to provide an immediatepermanent record of the imaged scene. The printhead again being fullydescribed in the aforementioned patent specifications.

A number of modifications can be carried out to the preferredembodiment. For example, a USB port could be provided, interconnected tothe Artcam central processor such that image processing algorithms canbe preloaded down to the binoculars 1 and a series of buttons providedfor the activation of the routines. The routines can include variousimage enhancement operations etc. Additionally, the output image couldbe modified in many different ways so as to enhance features of theimage. The image could be further enhanced by the placing of associatedinformation such as the time of day and location automatically on theimage. Additionally, the binoculars could be interconnected to a globalpositioning system (GPS) such that the coordinates of the observer arealso printed immediately on the output image. Additionally, otheroptions such as providing range finding facilities for locating ofobjects and displaying information related to the located objects on theoutput image could be provided.

It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerousfurther variations and/or modifications any be made to the presentinvention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The presentembodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to beillustrative and not restrictive.

Ink Jet Technologies

The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Ofcourse many different devices could be used. However presently popularink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

The most significant problem with thermal ink jet is power consumption.This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stemsfrom the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves therapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink.Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermalink jet applications This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, fromelectricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

The most significant problem with piezoelectric ink jet is size andcost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonabledrive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle.Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuiton a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at thecurrent limit of around 300 nozzles per printhead, but is a majorimpediment to the fabrication of pagewidth printheads with 19,200nozzles.

Ideally, the ink jet technologies used meet the stringent requirementsof in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed,low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digitalphotography, new ink jet technologies have been created. The targetfeatures include:

low power (less than 10 Watts)

high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

photographic quality output

low manufacturing cost

small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

high speed (<2 seconds per page).

All of these features can be met or exceeded by the ink jet systemsdescribed below with differing levels of difficulty. Forty-fivedifferent ink jet technologies have been developed by the Assignee togive a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. Thesetechnologies form part of separate applications assigned to the presentAssignee as set out in the list under the heading Cross References toRelated Applications.

The ink jet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digitalprinting systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras,through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercialprinting systems

For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the printheadis designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS postprocessing. For color photographic applications, the printhead is 100 mmlong, with a width which depends upon the ink jet type. The smallestprinthead designed is covered in U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/112,764, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm.The printheads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and controlcircuitry.

Ink is supplied to the back of the printhead by injection molded plasticink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can becreated using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standardinjection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the waferto the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. Theprinthead is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automatedbonding.

Tables of Drop-on-Demand Ink Jets

The present invention is useful in the field of digital printing, inparticular, ink jet printing. A number of patent applications in thisfield were filed simultaneously and incorporated by cross reference.

Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation ofindividual ink jet nozzles have been identified. These characteristicsare largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an elevendimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix includeentries developed by the present assignee.

The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of inkjet types.

Actuator mechanism (18 types)

Basic operation mode (7 types)

Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

Actuator motion (19 types)

Nozzle refill method (4 types)

Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

Drop ejection direction (5 types)

Ink type (7 types)

The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains36.9 billion possible configurations of ink jet nozzle. While not all ofthe possible combinations result in a viable ink jet technology, manymillion configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical toelucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain ink jettypes have been investigated in detail. Forty-five such inkjet typeswere filed simultaneously to the present application.

Other ink jet configurations can readily be derived from theseforty-five examples by substituting alternative configurations along oneor more of the 11 axes. Most of the forty-five examples can be made intoink jet printheads with characteristics superior to any currentlyavailable ink jet technology.

Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more ofthese examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below.The simultaneously filed patent applicationg by the present applicantare listed by U.S. Ser. No. numbers. In some cases, a print technologymay be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristicswith more than one entry.

Suitable applications for the ink jet technologies include: Homeprinters, Office network printers, Short run digital printers,Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWWprinters, Video printers, Medical imaging, Wide format printers,Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems,Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrixare set out in the following tables.

ACTUATOR MECHANISM (APPLIED ONLY TO SELECTED INK DROPS) DescriptionAdvantages Disadvantages Examples Thermal An electrothermal Large forceHigh power Canon Bubblejet 1979 bubble heater heats the ink generatedInk carrier limited Endo et al GB patent to above boiling Simple towater 2,007,162 point, transferring construction Low efficiency Xeroxheater-in-pit significant heat to No moving High temperatures 1990Hawkins et al the aqueous ink. A parts required U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181bubble nucleates Fast operation High mechanical Hewlett-Packard TIJ andquickly forms, Small chip area stress 1982 Vaught et al U.S. Pat. No.expelling the ink. required for Unusual materials 4,490,728 Theefficiency of the actuator required process is low, with Large drivetypically less than transistors 0.05% of the Cavitation causeselectrical energy actuator failure being transformed Kogation reducesinto kinetic energy bubble formation of the drop. Large print heads aredifficult to fabricate Piezo- A piezoelectric Low power Very large areaKyser et al U.S. Pat. No. electric crystal such as lead consumptionrequired for 3,946,398 lanthanum zirconate Many ink types actuatorZoltan U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,212 (PZT) is electrically can be usedDifficult to 1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. activated, and either Fastoperation integrate with 3,747,120 expands, shears, or High efficiencyelectronics Epson Stylus bends to apply High voltage drive Tektronixpressure to the ink, transistors U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,803 ejectingdrops. required Full pagewidth print heads impractical due to actuatorsize Requires electrical poling in high field strengths duringmanufacture Electro- An electric field is Low power Low maximum SeikoEpson, Usui et all strictive used to activate consumption strain(approx. JP 253401/96 electrostriction in Many ink types 0.01%) U.S.Ser. No. 09/112,803 relaxor materials can be used Large area such aslead Low thermal required for lanthanum zirconate expansion actuator dueto titanate (PLZT) or Electric field low strain lead magnesium strengthResponse speed is niobate (PMN). required marginal (˜10 μs) (approx. 3.5High voltage drive V/μm) can be transistors generated required withoutFull pagewidth difficulty print heads Does not impractical due torequire actuator size electrical poling Ferro- An electric field is Lowpower Difficult to U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,803 electric used to induce aconsumption integrate with phase transition Many ink types electronicsbetween the can be used Unusual materials antiferroelectric Fastoperation such as PLZSnT (AFE) and (<1 μs) are required ferroelectric(FE) Relatively high Actuators require phase. Perovskite longitudinal alarge area materials such as tin strain modified lead High efficiencylanthanum zirconate Electric field titanate (PLZSnT) strength of exhibitlarge strains around 3 V/μm of up to 1% can be readily associated withthe provided AFE to FE phase transition. Electro- Conductive plates Lowpower Difficult to U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,787; static are separated by aconsumption operate 09/112,803 plates compressible or Many ink typeselectrostatic fluid dielectric can be used devices in an (usually air).Upon Fast operation aqueous application of a environment voltage, theplates The electrostatic attract each other actuator will and displaceink, normally need to causing drop be separated from ejection. The theink conductive plates Very large area may be in a comb or required tohoneycomb achieve high structure, or stacked forces to increase the Highvoltage drive surface area and transistors may be therefore the force.required Full pagewidth print heads are not competitive due to actuatorsize Electro- A strong electric Low current High voltage 1989 Saito etal. U.S. Pat. No. static pull field is applied to consumption required4,799,068 on ink the ink, whereupon Low May be damaged 1989 Miura et al,U.S. Pat. No. electrostatic temperature by sparks due to 4,810,954attraction air breakdown Tone-jet accelerates the ink Required fieldtowards the print strength increases medium. as the drop size decreasesHigh voltage drive transistors required Electrostatic field attractsdust Permanent An electromagnet Low power Complex U.S. Ser. No.09/113,084; magnet directly attracts a consumption fabrication09/112,779 electro- permanent magnet, Many ink types Permanent magneticdisplacing ink and can be used magnetic material causing drop Fastoperation such as ejection. Rare earth High efficiency Neodymium Ironmagnets with a field Easy extension Boron (NdFeB) strength around 1 fromsingle required. Tesla can be used. nozzles to High local Examples are:pagewidth print currents required Samarium Cobalt heads Copper (SaCo)and metalization magnetic materials should be used for in the neodymiumlong iron boron family electromigration (NdFeB, lifetime and lowNdDyFeBNb, resistivity NdDyFeB, etc) Pigmented inks are usuallyinfeasible Operating temperature limited to the Curie temperature around540 K.) Soft A solenoid induced Low power Complex U.S. Ser. No.09/112,751; magnetic a magnetic field in a consumption fabrication09/113,097; 09/113,066; core soft magnetic core Many ink types Materialsnot 09/112,779; 09/113,061; electro- or yoke fabricated can be usedusually present in 09/112,816; 09/112,772; magnetic from a ferrous Fastoperation a CMOS fab such 09/112/815 material such as High efficiency asNiFe, CoNiFe, electroplated iron Easy extension or CoFe are alloys suchas from single required CoNiFe [1], CoFe, nozzles to High local or NiFealloys. pagewidth print currents required Typically, the soft headsCopper magnetic material is metalization in two parts, which should beused for are normally held long apart by a spring. electromigration Whenthe solenoid lifetime and low is actuated, the two resistivity partsattract, Electroplating is displacing the ink. required High saturationflux density is required (2.0-2.1 T is achievable with CoNiFe [1])Lorenz The Lorenz force Low power Force acts as a U.S. Ser. No.09/113,099; force acting on a current consumption twisting motion09/113,077; 09/112,818; carrying wire in a Many ink types Typically,only a 09/112,819 magnetic field is can be used quarter of the utilized.Fast operation solenoid length This allows the High efficiency providesforce in a magnetic field to be Easy extension useful direction suppliedexternally from single High local to the print head, for nozzles tocurrent required example with rare pagewidth print Copper earthpermanent heads metalization magnets. should be used for Only thecurrent long carrying wire need electromigration be fabricated on thelifetime and low print-head, resistivity simplifying Pigmented inksmaterials are usually requirements. infeasible Magneto- The actuatoruses Many ink types Force acts as a Fischenbeck, U.S. Pat. No. strictionthe giant can be used twisting motion 4,032,929 magnetostrictive Fastoperation Unusual materials U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,121 effect of materialsEasy extension such as Terfenol- such as Terfenol-D from single D arerequired (an alloy of terbium, nozzles to High local dysprosium and ironpagewidth print currents required developed at the heads Copper NavalOrdnance High force is metalization Laboratory, hence available shouldbe used for Ter-Fe-NOL). For long best efficiency, the electromigrationactuator should be lifetime and low pre-stressed to resistivity approx.8 MPa. Pre-stressing may be required Surface Ink under positive Lowpower Requires Silverbrook, EP 0771 tension pressure is held in aconsumption supplementary 658 A2 and related reduction nozzle by surfaceSimple force to effect patent applications tension. The surfaceconstruction drop separation tension of the ink is No unusual Requiresspecial reduced below the materials ink surfactants bubble threshold,required in Speed may be causing the ink to fabrication limited byegress from the High efficiency surfactant nozzle. Easy extensionproperties from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads Viscosity Theink viscosity is Simple Requires Silverbrook, EP 0771 reduction locallyreduced to construction supplementary 658 A2 and related select whichdrops No unusual force to effect patent applications are to be ejected.A materials drop separation viscosity reduction required in Requiresspecial can be achieved fabrication ink viscosity electrothermally Easyextension properties with most inks, but from single High speed isspecial inks can be nozzles to difficult to achieve engineered for apagewidth print Requires 100:1 viscosity head oscillating ink reduction.pressure A high temperature difference (typically 80 degrees) isrequired Acoustic An acoustic wave is Can operate Complex drive 1993Hadimioglu et al, generated and without a nozzle circuitry EUP 550,192focussed upon the plate Complex 1993 Elrod et al, EUP drop ejectionregion. fabrication 572,220 Low efficiency Poor control of drop positionPoor control of drop volume Thermo- An actuator which Low powerEfficient aqueous U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,802; elastic relies uponconsumption operation requires 09/112,778; 09/112,815; bend differentialthermal Many ink types a thermal insulator 09/113,096; 09/113,068;actuator expansion upon can be used on the hot side 09/113,095;09/112,808; Joule heating is Simple planar Corrosion 09/112,809;09/112,780; used. fabrication prevention can be 09/113,083; 09/112,793;Small chip area difficult 09/112,794; 09/113,128; required for Pigmentedinks 09/113,127; 09/112,756; each actuator may be infeasible,09/112,755; 09/112,754; Fast operation as pigment 09/112,811;09/112,812; High efficiency particles may jam 09/112,813; 09/112,814;CMOS the bend actuator 09/112,764; 09/112,765; compatible 09/112,767;09/112,768 voltages and currents Standard MEMS processes can be usedEasy extension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads High CTE Amaterial with a High force can Required special U.S. Ser. No.09/112,778; thermo- very high coefficient be generated material (e.g.09/112,815; 09/113,096; elastic of thermal Three methods PTFE)09/113,095; 09/112,808; actuator expansion (CTE) of PTFE Requires a PTFE09/112,809; 09/112,780; such as deposition are deposition 09/113,083;09/112,793; polytetrafluoroethylene under process, which is 09/112,794;09/113,128; (PTFE) is used. development: not yet standard in 09/113,127;09/112,756; As high CTE chemical vapor ULSI fabs 09/112,807; 09/112,806;materials are usually deposition PTFE deposition 09/112,820non-conductive, a (CVD), spin cannot be heater fabricated coating, andfollowed with from a conductive evaporation high temperature material isPTFE is a (above 350° C.) incorporated. A 50 μm candidate for processinglong PTFE bend low dielectric Pigmented inks actuator with constant maybe infeasible, polysilicon heater insulation in as pigment and 15 mWpower ULSI particles may jam input can provide Very low power the bendactuator 180 μN force and consumption 10 μm deflection. Many ink typesActuator motions can be used include: Simple planar Bend fabricationPush Small chip area Buckle required for Rotate each actuator Fastoperation High efficiency CMOS compatible voltages and currents Easyextension from single nozzles to pagewidth print heads Conductive Apolymer with a High force can Requires special U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,083polymer high coefficient of be generated materials thermo- thermalexpansion Very low power development elastic (such as PTFE) isconsumption (High CTE actuator doped with Many ink types conductiveconducting can be used polymer) substances to Simple planar Requires aPTFE increase its fabrication deposition conductivity to Small chip areaprocess, which is about 3 orders or required for not yet standard inmagnitude below each actuator ULSI fabs that of copper. The Fastoperation PTFE deposition conducting polymer High efficiency cannot beexpands when CMOS followed with resistively heated. compatible hightemperature Examples of voltages and (above 350° C.) conducting dopantscurrents processing include: Easy extension Evaporation and Carbonnanotubes from single CVD deposition Metal fibers nozzles to techniquescannot Conductive pagewidth print be used polymers such as headsPigmented inks doped may be infeasible, polythiophene as pigment Carbongranules particles may jam the bend actuator Shape A shape memory Highforce is Fatigue limits U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,122 memory alloy such asTiNi available maximum number alloy (also known as (stresses of ofcycles Nitinol - Nickel hundreds of Low strain (1%) is Titanium alloy(MPa) required to extend developed at the Large strain is fatigueresistance Naval Ordnance available (more Cycle rate limited Laboratory)is than 3%) by heat removal thermally switched High corrosion Requiresunusual between its weak resistance materials (TiNi) martensitic stateand Simple The latent heat of its high stiffness constructiontransformation austenic state. The Easy extension must be provided shapeof the actuator from single High current in it martensitic nozzles tooperation state is deformed pagewidth print Requires pre- relative tothe heads stressing to distort austenic shape. The Low voltage themartensitic shape change causes operation state ejection of a drop.Linear Linear magnetic Linear Magnetic Requires unusual U.S. Ser. No.09/113,061 Magnetic actuators include the actuators can be semiconductorActuator Linear Induction constructed with materials such as Actuator(LIA), high thrust, long soft magnetic Linear Permanent travel, and highalloys (e.g. Magnet efficiency using CoNiFe) Synchronous planar Somevarieties Actuator (LPMSA), semiconductor also require Linear Reluctancefabrication permanent Synchronous techniques magnetic Actuator (LRSA),Long actuator materials such as Linear Switched travel is Neodymium ironReluctance Actuator available boron (NdFeB) (LSRA), and the Medium forceis Requires complex Linear Stepper available multi-phase drive Actuator(LSA). Low voltage circuitry operation High current operation

BASIC OPERATION MODE Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesActuator This is the simplest Simple Drop repetition Thermal ink jetdirectly mode of operation: operation rate is usually Piezoelectric inkjet pushes ink the actuator directly No external limited to around U.S.Ser. No. 09/112,751; supplies sufficient fields required 10 kHz.09/112,787; 09/112,802; kinetic energy to Satellite drops However, thisis 09/112,803; 09/113,097; expel the drop. The can be avoided notfundamental 09/113,099; 09/113,084; drop must have a if drop velocity tothe method, 09/112,778; 09/113,077; sufficient velocity to is less than4 m/s but is related to 09/113,061; 09/112,816; overcome the Can beefficient, the refill method 09/112,819; 09/113,095; surface tension.depending upon normally used 09/112,809; 09/112,780; the actuator All ofthe drop 09/113,083; 09/113,121; used kinetic energy 09/113,122;09/112,793; must be provided 09/112,794; 09/113,128; by the actuator09/113,127; 09/112,756; Satellite drops 09/112,755; 09/112,754; usuallyform if 09/112,811; 09/112,812; drop velocity is 09/112,813; 09/112,814;greater than 4.5 m/s 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768;09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820 Proximity The drops to be Very simpleRequires close Silverbrook, EP 0771 printed are selected print headproximity 658 A2 and related by some manner fabrication can between theprint patent applications (e.g. thermally be used head and the inducedsurface The drop print media or tension reduction of selection meanstransfer roller pressurized ink). does not need to May require twoSelected drops are provide the print heads separated from the energyrequired printing alternate ink in the nozzle by to separate the rows ofthe contact with the drop from the image print medium or a nozzleMonolithic color transfer roller. print heads are difficult Electro- Thedrops to be Very simple Requires very Silverbrook, EP 0771 static pullprinted are selected print head high electrostatic 658 A2 and related onink by some manner fabrication can field patent applications (e.g.thermally be used Electrostatic field Tone-Jet induced surface The dropfor small nozzle tension reduction of selection means sizes is above airpressurized ink). does not need to breakdown Selected drops are providethe Electrostatic field separated from the energy required may attractdust ink in the nozzle by to separate the a strong electric drop fromthe field. nozzle Magnetic The drops to be Very simple RequiresSilverbrook, EP 0771 pull on ink printed are selected print headmagnetic ink 658 A2 and related by some manner fabrication can Inkcolors other patent applications (e.g. thermally be used than black areinduced surface The drop difficult tension reduction of selection meansRequires very pressurized ink). does not need to high magnetic Selecteddrops are provide the fields separated from the energy required ink inthe nozzle by to separate the a strong magnetic drop from the fieldacting on the nozzle magnetic ink. Shutter The actuator moves High speedMoving parts are U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,818; a shutter to block (>50 kHz)required 09/112,815; 09/112,808 ink flow to the operation can beRequires ink nozzle. The ink achieved due to pressure pressure is pulsedreduced refill modulator at a multiple of the time Friction and weardrop ejection Drop timing can must be frequency. be very accurateconsidered The actuator Stiction is energy can be possible very lowShuttered The actuator moves Actuators with Moving parts are U.S. Ser.No. 09/113,066; grill a shutter to block small travel can required09/112,772; 09/113,096; ink flow through a be used Requires ink09/113,068 grill to the nozzle. Actuators with pressure The shuttersmall force can modulator movement need be used Friction and wear onlybe equal to the High speed must be width of the grill (>50 kHz)considered holes. operation can be Stiction is achieved possible PulsedA pulsed magnetic Extremely low Requires an U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,779magnetic field attracts an ‘ink energy external pulsed pull on inkpusher’ at the drop operation is magnetic field pusher ejectionfrequency. possible Requires special An actuator controls No heatmaterials for both a catch, which dissipation the actuator and preventsthe ink problems the ink pusher pusher from moving Complex when a dropis not construction to be ejected.

AUXILIARY MECHANISM (APPLIED TO ALL NOZZLES) Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples None The actuator directly Simplicity of Dropejection Most ink jets, including fires the ink drop, constructionenergy must be piezoelectric and thermal and there is no Simplicity ofsupplied by bubble. external field or operation individual nozzle U.S.Ser. No. 09/112,751; other mechanism Small physical actuator 09/112,787;09/112,802; required. size 09/112,803; 09/113,097; 09/113,084;09/113,078; 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,816; 09/113,095; 09/112,809;09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794;09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811;09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767;09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820 Oscillating The inkpressure Oscillating ink Requires external Silverbrook, EP 0771 inkoscillates, providing pressure can ink pressure 658 A2 and relatedpressure much of the drop provide a refill oscillator patentapplications (including ejection energy. The pulse, allowing Inkpressure U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,066; acoustic actuator selects higheroperating phase and 09/112,818; 09/112,772; stimulation) which drops areto speed amplitude must 09/112,815; 09/113,096; be fired by Theactuators be carefully 09/113,068; 09/112,808 selectively blocking mayoperate controlled or enabling nozzles. with much Acoustic The inkpressure lower energy reflections in the oscillation may be Acousticlenses ink chamber achieved by can be used to must be designed vibratingthe print focus the sound for head, or preferably on the nozzles by anactuator in the ink supply. Media The print head is Low power PrecisionSilverbrook, EP 0771 proximity placed in close High accuracy assembly658 A2 and related proximity to the Simple print required patentapplications print medium. head Paper fibers may Selected dropsconstruction cause problems protrude from the Cannot print on print headfurther rough substrates than unselected drops, and contact the printmedium. The drop soaks into the medium fast enough to cause dropseparation. Transfer Drops are printed to High accuracy BulkySilverbrook, EP 0771 roller a transfer roller Wide range of Expensive658 A2 and related instead of straight to print substrates Complexpatent applications the print medium. A can be used constructionTektronix hot melt transfer roller can Ink can be dried piezoelectricink jet also be used for on the transfer Any of U.S. Ser. No. proximitydrop roller 09/112,751; 09/112,787; separation. 09/112,802; 09/112,803;09/113,097; 09/113,099; 09/113,084; 09/113,066; 09/112,778; 09/112,779;09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,772; 09/112,819;09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809;09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794;09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811;09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767;09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Electro- Anelectric field is Low power Field strength Silverbrook, EP 0771 staticused to accelerate Simple print required for 658 A2 and related selecteddrops head separation of patent applications towards the printconstruction small drops is Tone-Jet medium. near or above air breakdownDirect A magnetic field is Low power Requires Silverbrook, EP 0771magnetic used to accelerate Simple print magnetic ink 658 A2 and relatedfield selected drops of head Requires strong patent applicationsmagnetic ink construction magnetic field towards the print medium. CrossThe print head is Does not Requires external U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,099;magnetic placed in a constant require magnet 09/112,819 field magneticfield. The magnetic Current densities Lorenz force in a materials to bemay be high, current carrying integrated in the resulting in wire isused to move print head electromigration the actuator. manufacturingproblems process Pulsed A pulsed magnetic Very low power Complex printU.S. Ser. No. 09/112,779 magnetic field is used to operation is headconstruction field cyclically attract a possible Magnetic paddle, whichSmall print head materials pushes on the ink. A size required in printsmall actuator head moves a catch, which selectively prevents the paddlefrom moving.

ACTUATOR AMPLIFICATION OR MODIFICATION METHOD Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples None No actuator Operational Many actuatorThermal Bubble Ink jet mechanical simplicity mechanisms U.S. Ser. No.09/112,751; amplification is have 09/112,787; 09/113,099; used. Theactuator insufficient 09/113,084; 09/112,819; directly drives thetravel, or 09/113,121; 09/113,122 drop ejection insufficient process.force, to efficiently drive the drop ejection process Differential Anactuator material Provides greater High stresses Piezoelectric expansionexpands more on travel in a are involved U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,802; bendone side than on the reduced print Care must he 09/112,778; 09/112,815;actuator other. The head area taken that the 09/113,096; 09/113,068;expansion may be materials do not 09/113,095; 09/112,808; thermal,delaminate 09/112,809; 09/112,780; piezoelectric, Residual bend09/113,083; 09/112,793; magnetostrictive, or resulting from 09/113,128;09/113,127; other mechanism. high 09/112,756; 09/112,755; The bendactuator temperature or 09/112,754; 09/112,811; converts a high highstress 09/112,812; 09/112,813; force low travel during 09/112,814;09/112,764; actuator mechanism formation 09/112,765; 09/112,767; to hightravel, lower 09/112,768; 09/112,807; force mechanism. 09/112,806;09/112,820 Transient A trilayer bend Very good High stresses U.S. Ser.No. 09/112,767; bend actuator where the temperature are involved09/112,768 actuator two outside layers stability Care must be areidentical. This High speed, as a taken that the cancels bend due to newdrop can be materials do not ambient temperature fired before heatdelaminate and residual stress. dissipates The actuator only Cancelsresidual responds to transient stress of heating of one side formationor the other. Reverse The actuator loads a Better coupling FabricationU.S. Ser. No. 09/113,097; spring spring. When the to the ink complexity09/113,077 actuator is turned High stress in off, the spring the springreleases. This can reverse the force/distance curve of the actuator tomake it compatible with the force/time requirements of the dropejection. Actuator A series of thin Increased travel Increased Somepiezoelectric ink stack actuators are Reduced drive fabrication jetsstacked. This can be voltage complexity U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,803appropriate where Increased actuators require possibility of highelectric field short circuits strength, such as due to pinholeselectrostatic and piezoelectric actuators. Multiple Multiple smallerIncreases the Actuator forces U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,061; actuatorsactuators are used force available may not add 09/112,818; 09/113,096;simultaneously to from an actuator linearly, 09/113,095; 09/112,809;move the ink. Each Multiple reducing 09/112,794; 09/112,807; actuatorneed actuators can be efficiency 09/112,806 provide only a positioned toportion of the force control ink flow required. accurately Linear Alinear spring is Matches low Requires print U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,772Spring used to transform a travel actuator head area for motion withsmall with higher the spring travel and high force travel into a longertravel, requirements lower force motion. Non-contact method of motiontransformation Coiled A bend actuator is Increases travel Generally U.S.Ser. No. 09/112,815; actuator coiled to provide Reduces chip restrictedto 09/112,808; 09/112,811; greater travel in a area planar 09/112,812reduced chip area. Planar implementations implementations due to extremeare relatively fabrication easy to difficulty in fabricate. otherorientations. Flexure A bend actuator has Simple means Care must be U.S.Ser. No. 09/112,779; bend a small region near of increasing taken not to09/113,068; 09/112,754 actuator the fixture point, travel of a bendexceed the which flexes much actuator elastic limit in more readily thanthe flexure area the remainder of the Stress actuator. The distributionis actuator flexing is very uneven effectively Difficult to convertedfrom an accurately even coiling to an model with angular bend, finiteelement resulting in greater analysis travel of the actuator tip. CatchThe actuator Very low Complex U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,779 controls a smallactuator energy construction catch. The catch Very small Requires eitherenables or actuator size external force disables movement Unsuitable forof an ink pusher that pigmented inks is controlled in a bulk manner.Gears Gears can be used to Low force, low Moving parts U.S. Ser. No.09/112,818 increase travel at the travel actuators are required expenseof duration. can be used Several actuator Circular gears, rack Can becycles are and pinion, ratchets, fabricated using required and othergearing standard surface More complex methods can be MEMS driveelectronics used. processes Complex construction Friction, friction, andwear are possible Buckle A buckle plate can Very fast Must stay S.Hirata et al, “An Ink-jet plate be used to change a movement withinelastic Head Using Diaphragm slow actuator into a achievable limits ofthe Microactuator”, Proc. fast motion. It can materials for IEEE MEMS,Feb. 1996, also convert a high long device life pp 418-423. force, lowtravel High stresses U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,096; actuator into a highinvolved 09/112,793 travel, medium force Generally high motion. powerrequirement Tapered A tapered magnetic Linearizes the Complex U.S. Ser.No. 09/112,816 magnetic pole can increase magnetic construction poletravel at the expense force/distance of force. curve Lever A lever andfulcrum Matches low High stress U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,755; is used totransform travel actuator around the 09/112,813; 09/112,814 a motionwith small with higher fulcrum travel and high force travel into amotion with requirements longer travel and Fulcrum area lower force. Thehas no linear lever can also movement, and reverse the direction can beused for of travel. a fluid seal Rotary The actuator is High ComplexU.S. Ser. No. 09/112,794 impeller connected to a mechanical constructionrotary impeller. A advantage Unsuitable for small angular The ratio ofpigmented inks deflection of the force to travel actuator results in aof the actuator rotation of the can be matched impeller vanes, to thenozzle which push the ink requirements by against stationary varying thevanes and out of the number of nozzle. impeller vanes Acoustic Arefractive or No moving Large area 1993 Hadimioglu et al, lensdiffractive (e.g. zone parts required EUP 550,192 plate) acoustic lensOnly relevant 1993 Elrod et al, EUP is used to for acoustic ink 572,220concentrate sound jets waves. Sharp A sharp point is Simple Difficult toTone-jet conductive used to concentrate construction fabricate usingpoint an electrostatic field. standard VLSI processes for a surfaceejecting ink-jet Only relevant for electrostatic ink jets

ACTUATOR MOTION Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Volume Thevolume of the Simple High energy is Hewlett-Packard Thermal expansionactuator changes, construction in typically Ink jet pushing the ink inthe case of required to Canon Bubblejet all directions. thermal ink jetachieve volume expansion. This leads to thermal stress, cavitation, andkogation in thermal ink jet implementations Linear, The actuator movesEfficient High fabrication U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,751; normal to in adirection normal coupling to ink complexity may 09/112,787; 09/112,803;chip to the print head drops ejected be required to 09/113,084;09/113,077; surface surface. The nozzle normal to the achieve 09/112,816is typically in the surface perpendicular line of movement. motionParallel to The actuator moves Suitable for Fabrication U.S. Ser. No.09/113,061; chip parallel to the print planar complexity 09/112,818;09/112,772; surface head surface. Drop fabrication Friction 09/112,754;09/112,811; ejection may still be Stiction 09/112,812; 09/112,813 normalto the surface. Membrane An actuator with a The effective Fabrication1982 Howkins U.S. Pat. No. push high force but small area of thecomplexity 4,459,601 area is used to push actuator Actuator size a stiffmembrane becomes the Difficulty of that is in contact membrane areaintegration in a with the ink. VLSI process Rotary The actuator causesRotary levers Device U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,097; the rotation of some maybe used to complexity 09/113,066; 09/112,818; element, such a grillincrease travel May have 09/112,794 or impeller Small chip area frictionat a requirements pivot point Bend The actuator bends A very smallRequires the 1970 Kyser et al U.S. Pat. No. when energized. change inactuator to be 3,946,398 This may be due to dimensions can made from at1973 Stemme U.S. Pat. No. differential thermal be converted to least two3,747,120 expansion, a large motion. distinct layers, 09/112,802;09/112,778; piezoelectric or to have a 09/112,779; 09/113,068;expansion, thermal 09/112,780; 09/113,083; magnetostriction, ordifference 09/113,121; 09/113,128; other form of across the 09/113,127;09/112,756; relative dimensional actuator 09/112,754; 09/112,811;change. 09/112,812 Swivel The actuator swivels Allows Inefficient U.S.Ser. No. 09/113,099 around a central operation where coupling to thepivot. This motion is the net linear ink motion suitable where thereforce on the are opposite forces paddle is zero applied to oppositeSmall chip area sides of the paddle, requirements e.g. Lorenz force.Straighten The actuator is Can be used Requires careful U.S. Ser. No.09/113,122; normally bent, and with shape balance of 09/112,755straightens when memory alloys stresses to energized. where the ensurethat the austenic phase quiescent bend is planar is accurate Double Theactuator bends One actuator Difficult to U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,813; bendin one direction can be used to make the drops 09/112,814; 09/112,764when one element is power two ejected by both energized, and nozzles.bend directions bends the other way Reduced chip identical. when anothersize. A small element is Not sensitive to efficiency loss energized.ambient compared to temperature equivalent single bend actuators. ShearEnergizing the Can increase the Not readily 1985 Fishbeck U.S. Pat. No.actuator causes a effective travel applicable to 4,584,590 shear motionin the of piezoelectric other actuator actuator material. actuatorsmechanisms Radial The actuator Relatively easy High force 1970 ZoltanU.S. Pat. No. constriction squeezes an ink to fabricate required3,683,212 reservoir, forcing single nozzles Inefficient ink from a fromglass Difficult to constricted nozzle. tubing as integrate withmacroscopic VLSI processes structures Coil/ A coiled actuator Easy toDifficult to U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,815; uncoil uncoils or coils fabricateas a fabricate for 09/112,808; 09/112,811; more tightly. The planar VLSInon-planar 09/112,812 motion of the free process devices end of theactuator Small area Poor out-of- ejects the ink. required, planestiffness therefore low cost Bow The actuator bows Can increase theMaximum U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,819; (or buckles) in the speed of traveltravel is 09/113,096; 09/112,793 middle when Mechanically constrainedenergized. rigid High force required Push-Pull Two actuators Thestructure is Not readily U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,096 control a shutter.pinned at both suitable for ink One actuator pulls ends, so has a jetswhich the shutter, and the high out-of- directly push other pushes it.plane rigidity the ink Curl A set of actuators Good fluid flow DesignU.S. Ser. No. 09/113,095; inwards curl inwards to to the regioncomplexity 09/112,807 reduce the volume behind the of ink that theyactuator enclose. increases efficiency Curl A set of actuatorsRelatively Relatively large U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,806 outwards curloutwards, simple chip area pressurizing ink in a construction chambersurrounding the actuators, and expelling ink from a nozzle in thechamber. Iris Multiple vanes High efficiency High fabrication U.S. Ser.No. 09/112,809 enclose a volume of Small chip area complexity ink. TheseNot suitable for simultaneously pigmented inks rotate, reducing thevolume between the vanes. Acoustic The actuator The actuator Large area1993 Hadimioglu et al, vibration vibrates at a high can be required forEUP 550,192 frequency. physically efficient 1993 Elrod et al, EUPdistant from the operation at 572,220 ink useful frequencies Acousticcoupling and crosstalk Complex drive circuitry Poor control of dropvolume and position None In various ink jet No moving Various otherSilverbrook, EP 0771 658 designs the actuator parts tradeoffs are A2 andrelated patent does not move. required to applications eliminateTone-jet moving parts

NOZZLE REFILL METHOD Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesSurface This is the normal Fabrication Low speed Thermal ink jet tensionway that ink jets are simplicity Surface tension Piezoelectric ink jetrefilled. After the Operational force relatively U.S. Ser. No. -09/112,751; actuator is energized, simplicity small 09/113,084;09/112,779; it typically returns compared to 09/112,816; 09/112,819;rapidly to its normal actuator force 09/113,095; 09/112,809; position.This rapid Long refill 09/112,780; 09/113,083; return sucks in air timeusually 09/113,121; 09/113,122; through the nozzle dominates the09/112,793; 09/112,794; opening. The ink total repetition 09/113,128;09/113,127; surface tension at the rate 09/112,756; 09/112,755; nozzlethen exerts a 09/112,754; 09/112,811; small force restoring 09/112,812;09/112,813; the meniscus to a 09/112,814; 09/112,764; minimum area. This09/112,765; 09/112,767; force refills the 09/112,768; 09/112,807;nozzle. 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Shuttered Ink to the nozzleHigh speed Requires U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,066; oscillating chamber isprovided Low actuator common ink 09/112,818; 09/112,772; ink at apressure that energy, as the pressure 09/112,815; 09/113,096; pressureoscillates at twice the actuator need oscillator 09/113,068; 09/112,808drop ejection only open or May not be frequency. When a close thesuitable for drop is to be ejected, shutter, instead pigmented inks theshutter is opened of ejecting the for 3 half cycles: ink drop dropejection, actuator return, and refill. The shutter is then closed toprevent the nozzle chamber emptying during the next negative pressurecycle. Refill After the main High speed, as Requires two U.S. Ser. No.09/112,778 actuator actuator has ejected a the nozzle is independentdrop a second (refill) actively actuators per actuator is energized.refilled nozzle The refill actuator pushes ink into the nozzle chamber.The refill actuator returns slowly, to prevent its return from emptyingthe chamber again. Positive The ink is held a High refill rate, Surfacespill Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 ink slight positive therefore a must beA2 and related patent pressure pressure. After the high drop preventedapplications ink drop is ejected, repetition rate Highly Alternativefor: U.S. Ser. No. the nozzle chamber is possible hydrophobic09/112,751; 09/112,787; fills quickly as print head 09/112,802;09/112,803; surface tension and surfaces are 09/113,097; 09/113,099; inkpressure both required 09/113,084; 09/112,779; operate to refill the09/113,077; 09/113,061; nozzle. 09/112,818; 09/112,816; 09/112,819;09/113,095; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122;09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128, 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755;09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764;09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820;09/112,821

METHOD OF RESTRICTING BACK-FLOW THROUGH INLET Description AdvantagesDisadvantages Examples Long inlet The ink inlet Design Restricts refillThermal ink jet channel channel to the simplicity rate Piezoelectric inkjet nozzle chamber is Operational May result in a U.S. Ser. No.09/112,807; made long and simplicity relatively large 09/112,806relatively narrow, Reduces chip area relying on viscous crosstalk Onlypartially drag to reduce inlet effective back-flow. Positive The ink isunder a Drop selection Requires a Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 ink positivepressure, so and separation method (such A2 and related patent pressurethat in the quiescent forces can be as a nozzle rim applications statesome of the ink reduced or effective Possible operation of the dropalready Fast refill time hydrophobizing, following: protrudes from theor both) to U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,751; nozzle. prevent 09/112,787;09/112,802; This reduces the flooding of the 09/112,803; 09/113,097;pressure in the ejection 09/113,099; 09/113,084; nozzle chamber surfaceof the 09/112,778; 09/112,779; which is required to print head.09/113,077; 09/113,061; eject a certain 09/112,816; 09/112,819; volumeof ink. The 09/113,095; 09/112,809; reduction in 09/112,780; 09/113,083;chamber pressure 09/113,121; 09/113,122; results in a reduction09/112,793; 09/112,794; in ink pushed out 09/113,128; 09/113,127;through the inlet. 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811;09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768;Baffle One or more baffles The refill rate is Design HP Thermal Ink Jetare placed in the not as restricted complexity Tektronix piezoelectricink inlet ink flow. When as the long inlet May increase jet the actuatoris method. fabrication energized, the rapid Reduces complexity inkmovement crosstalk (e.g. Tektronix creates eddies which hot meltrestrict the flow Piezoelectric through the inlet. print heads). Theslower refill process is unrestricted, and does not result in eddies.Flexible In this method Significantly Not applicable Canon flap recentlydisclosed reduces back- to most ink jet restricts by Canon, the flow foredge- configurations inlet expanding actuator shooter thermal Increased(bubble) pushes on a ink jet devices fabrication flexible flap thatcomplexity restricts the inlet. Inelastic deformation of polymer flapresults in creep over extended use Inlet filter A filter is locatedAdditional Restricts refill U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,803; between the inkinlet advantage of rate 09/113,061; 09/113;083; and the nozzle inkfiltration May result in 09/112,793; 09/113,128; chamber. The filter Inkfilter may complex 09/113,127 has a multitude of be fabricatedconstruction small holes or slots, with no restricting ink flow.additional The filter also process steps removes particles which mayblock the nozzle. Small inlet The ink inlet Design Restricts refill U.S.Ser. No. 09/112,787; compared channel to the simplicity rate 09/112,814;09/112,820 to nozzle nozzle chamber has May result in a a substantiallyrelatively large smaller cross section chip area than that of the Onlypartially nozzle, resulting in effective easier ink egress out of thenozzle than out of the inlet. Inlet A secondary Increases speed RequiresU.S. Ser. No. 09/112,778 shutter actuator controls the of the ink-jetseparate refill position of a shutter, print head actuator and closingoff the ink operation drive circuit inlet when the main actuator isenergized. The inlet is The method avoids Back-flow Requires U.S. Ser.No. 09/112,751; located the problem of inlet problem is careful design09/112,802; 09/113,097; behind the back-flow by eliminated to minimize09/113,099; 09/113,084; ink- arranging the ink- the negative 09/112,779;09/113,077; pushing pushing surface of pressure 09/112,816; 09/112,819;surface the actuator between behind the 09/112,809; 09/112,780; theinlet and the paddle 09/113,121; 09/112,794; nozzle. 09/112,756;09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,765;09/112,767; 09/112,768 Part of the The actuator and a Significant Smallincrease U.S. Ser. No. 09/113,084; actuator wall of the ink reductionsin in fabrication 09/113,095; 09/113,122; moves to chamber are back-flowcan complexity 09/112,764 shut off arranged so that the be achieved theinlet motion of the Compact actuator closes off designs possible theinlet. Nozzle In some Ink back-flow None related to Silverbrook, EP 0771658 actuator configurations of problem is ink back-flow A2 and relatedpatent does not ink jet, there is no eliminated on actuationapplications result in expansion or Valve-jet ink back- movement of anTone-jet flow actuator which may cause ink back-flow through the inlet.

NOZZLE CLEARING METHOD Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesNormal All of the nozzles No added May not be Most ink jet systemsnozzle are fired complexity on sufficient to U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,751;firing periodically, before the print head displace dried 09/112,787;09/112,802; the ink has a chance ink 09/112,803; 09/113,097; to dry.When not in 09/113,099; 09/113,084; use the nozzles are 09/112,778;09/112,779; sealed (capped) 09/113,077; 09/113,061; against air.09/112,816; 09/112,819; The nozzle firing is 09/113,095; 09/112,809;usually performed 09/112,780; 09/113,083; during a special 09/113,121;09/113,122; clearing cycle, after 09/112,793; 09/112,794; first movingthe 09/113,128; 09/113,127; print head to a 09/112,756; 09/112,755;cleaning station. 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,813; 09/112,814;09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806;09/112,820; 09/112,821 Extra In systems which Can be highly RequiresSilverbrook, EP 0771 658 power to heat the ink, but do effective if thehigher drive A2 and related patent ink heater not boil it under heateris voltage for applications normal situations, adjacent to the clearingnozzle clearing can nozzle May require be achieved by over- larger drivepowering the heater transistors and boiling ink at the nozzle. Rapid Theactuator is fired Does not Effectiveness May be used with: U.S. Ser. No.succession in rapid succession. require extra depends 09/112,751;09/112,787; of In some drive circuits on substantially 09/112,802;09/112,803; actuator configurations, this the print head upon the09/113,097; 09/113,099; pulses may cause heat Can be readilyconfiguration 09/113,084; 09/112,778; build-up at the controlled and ofthe ink jet 09/112,779; 09/113,077; nozzle which boils initiated bynozzle 09/112,816; 09/112,819; the ink, clearing the digital logic09/113,095; 09/112,809; nozzle. In other 09/112,780; 09/113,083;situations, it may 09/113,121; 09/112,793; cause sufficient 09/112,794;09/113,128; vibrations to 09/113,127; 09/112,756; dislodge clogged09/112,755; 09/112,754; nozzles. 09/112,811; 09/112,813; 09/112,814;09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806;09/112,820; 09/112,821 Extra Where an actuator is A simple Not suitableMay be used with: U.S. Ser. No. power to not normally driven solutionwhere where there is 09/112,802; 09/112,778; ink to the limit of itsapplicable a hard limit to 09/112,819; 09/113,095; pushing motion,nozzle actuator 09/112,780; 09/113,083; actuator clearing may bemovement 09/113,121; 09/112,793; assisted by 09/113,128; 09/113,127;providing an 09/112,756; 09/112,755; enhanced drive 09/112,765;09/112,767; signal to the 09/112,768; 09/112,807; actuator. 09/112,806;09/112,820; 09/112,821 Acoustic An ultrasonic wave A high nozzle HighU.S. Ser. No. 09/113,066;. resonance is applied to the ink clearingimplementation 09/112,818; 09/112,772; chamber. This wave capability cancost if 09/112,815; 09/113,096; is of an appropriate be achieved systemdoes 09/113,068; 09/112,808 amplitude and May be not already frequencyto cause implemented at include an sufficient force at very low cost inacoustic the nozzle to clear systems which actuator blockages. This isalready include easiest to achieve if acoustic the ultrasonic waveactuators is at a resonant frequency of the ink cavity. Nozzle Amicrofabricated Can clear Accurate Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 clearingplate is pushed severely mechanical A2 and related patent plate againstthe nozzles. clogged nozzles alignment is applications The plate has apost required for every nozzle. A Moving parts post moves through arerequired each nozzle, There is risk of displacing dried ink. damage tothe nozzles Accurate fabrication is required Ink The pressure of the Maybe Requires May be used with ink jets pressure ink is temporarilyeffective where pressure pump covered by U.S. Ser. No. pulse increasedso that ink other methods or other 09/112,751; 09/112,787; streams fromall of cannot be used pressure 09/112,802; 09/112,803; the nozzles. Thisactuator 09/113,097; 09/113,099; may be used in Expensive 09/113,084;09/113,066; conjunction with Wasteful of 09/112,778; 09/112,779;actuator energizing. ink 09/113,077; 09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816;09/112,772; 09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095;09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122;09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755;09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764;09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820;09/112,821 Print head A flexible ‘blade’ is Effective for Difficult touse Many ink jet systems wiper wiped across the planar print if printhead print head surface. head surfaces surface is non- The blade isusually Low cost planar or very fabricated from a fragile flexiblepolymer, Requires e.g. rubber or mechanical synthetic elastomer. partsBlade can wear out in high volume print systems Separate A separateheater is Can be effective Fabrication Can be used with many ink inkboiling provided at the where other complexity jets covered by U.S. Ser.No. heater nozzle although the nozzle clearing 09/112,751; 09/112,787;normal drop e- methods cannot 09/112,802; 09/112,803; ection mechanismbe used 09/113,097; 09/113,099; does not require it. Can be 09/113,084;09/113,066; The heaters do not implemented at 09/112,778; 09/112,779;require individual no additional 09/113,077; 09/113,061; drive circuits,as cost in some ink 09/112,818; 09/112,816; many nozzles can be jet09/112,772; 09/112,819; cleared configurations 09/112,815; 09/113,096;simultaneously, and 09/113,068; 09/113,095; no imaging is 09/112,808;09/112,809; required. 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122;09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755;09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764;09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820;09/112,821

NOZZLE PLATE CONSTRUCTION Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesElectro- A nozzle plate is Fabrication High Hewlett Packard Thermalformed separately fabricated simplicity temperatures Ink jet nickel fromelectroformed and pressures nickel, and bonded are required to to theprint head bond nozzle chip. plate Minimum thickness constraintsDifferential thermal expansion Laser Individual nozzle No masks Eachhole must Canon Bubblejet ablated or holes are ablated by required beindividually 1988 Sercel et al., SPIE, drilled an intense UV laser Canbe quite formed Vol. 998 Excimer Beam polymer in a nozzle plate, fastSpecial Applications, pp. 76-83 which is typically a Some controlequipment 1993 Watanabe et al., polymer such as over nozzle requiredU.S. Pat. No. 5,208,604 polyimide or profile is Slow where polysulphonepossible there are many Equipment thousands of required is nozzles perrelatively low print head cost May produce thin burrs at exit holesSilicon A separate nozzle High accuracy Two part K. Bean, IEEE micro-plate is is attainable construction Transactions on Electron machinedmicromachined High cost Devices, Vol. ED-25, No. from single crystalRequires 10, 1978, pp 1185-1195 silicon, and bonded precision Xerox 1990Hawkins et al., to the print head alignment U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,181wafer. Nozzles may be clogged by adhesive Glass Fine glass No expensiveVery small 1970 Zoltan U.S. Pat. No. capillaries capillaries are drawnequipment nozzle sizes 3,683,212 from glass tubing. required aredifficult to This method has Simple to make form been used for singlenozzles Not suited for making individual mass nozzles, but is productiondifficult to use for bulk manufacturing of print heads with thousands ofnozzles. Monolithic, The nozzle plate is High accuracy RequiresSilverbrook, EP 0771 658 surface deposited as a layer (<1 μm)sacrificial layer A2 and related patent micro- using standard VLSIMonolithic under the applications machined deposition Low cost nozzleplate to U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,751; using VLSI techniques. NozzlesExisting form the 09/112,787; 09/112,803; litho- are etched in theprocesses can nozzle 09/113,077; 09/113,061; graphic nozzle plate usingbe used chamber 09/112,815; 09/113,096; processes VLSI lithographySurface may 09/113,095; 09/112,809; and etching. be fragile to09/113,083; 09/112,793; the touch 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127;09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,813; 09/112,814;09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806;09/112,820 Monolithic, The nozzle plate is a High accuracy Requires longU.S. Ser. No. 09/112,802; etched buried etch stop in (<1 μm) etch times09/113,097; 09/113,099; through the wafer. Nozzle Monolithic Requires a09/113,084; 09/113,066; substrate chambers are etched Low cost supportwafer 09/112,778; 09/112,779; in the front of the No differential09/112,818; 09/112,816; wafer, and the wafer expansion 09/112,772;09/112,819; is thinned from the 09/113,068; 09/112,808; back side.Nozzles 09/112,780; 09/113,121; are then etched in 09/113,122 the etchstop layer. No nozzle Various methods No nozzles to Difficult to Ricoh1995 Sekiya et al plate have been tried to become clogged control dropU.S. Pat. No. 5,412,413 eliminate the position 1993 Hadimioglu et al EUPnozzles entirely, to accurately 550,192 prevent nozzle Crosstalk 1993Elrod et al EUP clogging. These problems 572,220 include thermal bubblemechanisms and acoustic lens mechanisms Trough Each drop ejector ReducedDrop firing U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,812 has a trough through manufacturingdirection is which a paddle complexity sensitive to moves. There is noMonolithic wicking. nozzle plate. Nozzle slit The elimination of Nonozzles to Difficult to 1989 Saito et al instead of nozzle holes andbecome clogged control drop U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,068 individualreplacement by a slit position nozzles encompassing many accuratelyactuator positions Crosstalk reduces nozzle problems clogging, butincreases crosstalk due to ink surface waves

DROP EJECTION DIRECTION Description Advantages Disadvantages ExamplesEdge Ink flow is along the Simple Nozzles Canon Bubblejet 1979 (‘edgesurface of the chip, construction limited to edge Endo et al GB patentshooter’) and ink drops are No silicon High 2,007,162 ejected from theetching required resolution is Xerox heater-in-pit 1990 chip edge. Goodheat difficult Hawkins et al U.S. Pat. No. sinking via Fast color4,899,181 substrate printing Tone-jet Mechanically requires one strongprint head per Ease of chip color handing Surface Ink flow is along theNo bulk silicon Maximum ink Hewlett-Packard TIJ 1982 (‘roof surface ofthe chip, etching required flow is Vaught et al U.S. Pat. No. shooter’)and ink drops are Silicon can severely 4,490,728 ejected from the makean restricted U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,787, chip surface, normal effectiveheat 09/113,077; 09/113,061; to the plane of the sink 09/113,095;09/112,809 chip. Mechanical strength Through Ink flow is through Highink flow Requires bulk Silverbrook, EP 0771 658 chip, the chip, and inkSuitable for silicon etching A2 and related patent forward drops areejected pagewidth print applications (‘up from the front heads U.S. Ser.No. 09/112,803; shooter’) surface of the chip. High nozzle 09/112,815;09/113,096; packing density 09/113,083; 09/112,793; therefore low09/112,794; 09/113,128; manufacturing 09/113,127; 09/112,756; cost09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814;09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806;09/112,820; 09/112,821 Through Ink flow is through High ink flowRequires wafer U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,751; chip, the chip, and inkSuitable for thinning 09/112,802; 09/113,097; reverse drops are ejectedpagewidth print Requires 09/113,099; 09/113,084; (‘down from the rearsurface heads special 09/113,066; 09/112,778; shooter’) of the chip.High nozzle handling 09/112,779; 09/112,818; packing density during09/112,816; 09/112,772; therefore low manufacture 09/112,819;manufacturing 09/113,068; 09/112,808; cost 09/112,780; 09/113,121;09/113,122 Through Ink flow is through Suitable for Pagewidth EpsonStylus actuator the actuator, which piezoelectric print heads Tektronixhot melt is not fabricated as print heads require several piezoelectricink jets part of the same thousand substrate as the connections to drivetransistors. drive circuits Cannot be manufactured in standard CMOS fabsComplex assembly required

INK TYPE Description Advantages Disadvantages Examples Aqueous, Waterbased ink Environmentally Slow drying Most existing ink jets dye whichtypically friendly Corrosive U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,751; contains: water,dye, No odor Bleeds on 09/112,787; 09/112,802; surfactant, paper09/112,803; 09/113,097; humectant, and May 09/113,099; 09/113,084;biocide. strikethrough 09/113,066; 09/112,778; Modern ink dyes Cocklespaper 09/112,779; 09/113,077; have high water- 09/113,061; 09/112,818;fastness, light 09/112,816; 09/112,772; fastness 09/112,819; 09/112,815;09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780;09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128;09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812;09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768;09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Silverbrook, EP 0771 658A2 and related patent applications Aqueous, Water based inkEnvironmentally Slow drying U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,787; pigment whichtypically friendly Corrosive 09/112,803; 09/112,808; contains: water, Noodor Pigment may 09/113,122; 09/112,793; pigment, surfactant, Reducedbleed clog nozzles 09/113,127 humectant, and Reduced Pigment maySilverbrook, EP 0771 658 biocide. wicking clog actuator A2 and relatedpatent Pigments have an Reduced mechanisms applications advantage inreduced strikethrough Cockles paper Piezoelectric ink-jets bleed,wicking and Thermal ink jets (with strikethrough. significantrestrictions) Methyl MEK is a highly Very fast Odorous U.S. Ser. No.09/112,751; Ethyl volatile solvent used drying Flammable 09/112,787;09/112,802; Ketone for industrial printing Prints on 09/112,803;09/113,097; (MEK) on difficult surfaces various 09/113,099; 09/113,084;such as aluminum substrates such 09/113,066; 09/112,778; cans. as metalsand 09/112,779; 09/113,077; plastics 09/113,061; 09/112,818; 09/112,816;09/112,772; 09/112,819; 09/112,815; 09/113,096; 09/113,068; 09/113,095;09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122;09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755;09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764;09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820;09/112,821 Alcohol Alcohol based inks Fast drying Slight odor U.S. Ser.No. 09/112,751; (ethanol, can be used where Operates at Flammable09/112,787; 09/112,802; 2-butanol, the printer must sub-freezing09/112,803; 09/113,097; and operate at temperatures 09/113,099;09/113,084; others) temperatures below Reduced paper 09/113,066;09/112,778; the freezing point of cockle 09/112,779; 09/113,077; water.An example of Low cost 09/113,061; 09/112,818; this is in-camera09/112,816; 09/112,772; consumer 09/112,819; 09/112,815; photographic09/113,096; 09/113,068; printing. 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809;09/112,780; 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794;09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811;09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767;09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821 Phase The inkis solid at No drying High viscosity Tektronix hot melt change roomtemperature, time - ink Printed ink piezoelectric ink jets (hot melt)and is melted in the instantly typically has a 1989 Nowak U.S. Pat. No.print head before freezes on the ‘waxy’ feel 4,820,346 jetting. Hot meltinks print medium Printed pages U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,751; are usuallywax Almost any may ‘block’ 09/112,787; 09/112,802; based, with a meltingprint medium Ink 09/112,803; 09/113,097; point around 80° C. can be usedtemperature 09/113,099; 09/113,084; After jetting the ink No paper maybe above 09/113,066; 09/112,778; freezes almost cockle occurs the curiepoint 09/112,779; 09/113,077; instantly upon No wicking of permanent09/113,061; 09/112,818; contacting the print occurs magnets 09/112,816;09/112,772; medium or a transfer No bleed Ink heaters 09/112,819;09/112,815; roller. occurs consume 09/113,096; 09/113,068; No power09/113,095; 09/112,808; strikethrough Long warm-up 09/112,809;09/112,780; occurs time 09/113,083; 09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793;09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754;09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765;09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821Oil Oil based inks are High solubility High viscosity: U.S. Ser. No.09/112,751; extensively used in medium for this is a 09/112,787;09/112,802; offset printing. They some dyes significant 09/112,803;09/113,097; have advantages in Does not limitation for 09/113,099;09/113,084; improved cockle paper use in ink jets, 09/113,066;09/112,778; characteristics on Does not wick which usually 09/112,779;09/113,077; paper (especially no through paper require a low 09/113,061;09/112,818; wicking or cockle). viscosity. 09/112,816; 09/112,772; Oilsoluble dies and Some short 09/112,819; 09/112,815; pigments are chainand 09/113,096; 09/113,068; required. multi-branched 09/113,095;09/112,808; oils have a 09/112,809; 09/112,780; sufficiently 09/113,083;09/113,121; low viscosity. 09/113,122; 09/112,793; Slow drying09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127; 09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754;09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813; 09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765;09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807; 09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821Micro- A microemulsion is a Stops ink bleed Viscosity U.S. Ser. No.09/112,751; emulsion stable, self forming High dye higher than09/112,787; 09/112,802; emulsion of oil, solubility water 09/112,803;09/113,097; water, and surfactant. Water, oil, and Cost is slightly09/113,099; 09/113,084; The characteristic amphiphilic higher than09/113,066; 09/112,778; drop size is less than soluble dies water based09/112,779; 09/113,077; 100 nm, and is can be used ink 09/113,061;09/112,818; determined by the Can stabilize High surfactant 09/112,816;09/112,772; preferred curvature of pigment concentration 09/112,819;09/112,815; the surfactant. suspensions required 09/113,096; 09/113,068;(around 5%) 09/113,095; 09/112,808; 09/112,809; 09/112,780; 09/113,083;09/113,121; 09/113,122; 09/112,793; 09/112,794; 09/113,128; 09/113,127;09/112,756; 09/112,755; 09/112,754; 09/112,811; 09/112,812; 09/112,813;09/112,814; 09/112,764; 09/112,765; 09/112,767; 09/112,768; 09/112,807;09/112,806; 09/112,820; 09/112,821

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable hand-held imaging system for viewingdistant objects comprising: a binocular lens system for magnifying aviewed distant object, the binocular lens system having a first lightinput arrangement and a second light input arrangement, the light inputarrangements each defining a light input path terminating at aneyepiece; a sensing system that is operatively arranged with respect tothe first light input arrangement, for sensing said viewed distantobject at the same time the object is viewed by a user; a beam splittingdevice that is positioned within the light input path of the first lightinput arrangement to split a beam carrying an image of the distantobject into a first beam directed to said sensing system and a secondbeam directed to the eyepiece of the first light input arrangement; aprocessing means interconnected to said sensing system for processingsaid sensed image; and a printer mechanism which is mounted on theoptical lens system and is connected to said processor means, theprinter mechanism being configured to print out said sensed image ondemand on print media.
 2. A portable hand-held imaging system as claimedin claim 1 further comprising: a detachable module which is configuredto be connected to said printer mechanism and which is configured sothat a print media supply means can be detachably attached thereto forthe supply of print media to said printer mechanism.
 3. A portable,hand-held imaging system as claimed in claim 1, in which the secondlight input arrangement includes an attenuation filter positioned in thelight input path of the second light input arrangement to attenuate abeam of light directed into the second light input arrangement, theattenuation filter being configured so that the said beam of light is ofsubstantially the same intensity as the beam of light in the first lightinput arrangement.